A CATHOLIKE CONFVTATION OF M. IOHN RIDERS CLAYME OF ANTIQVITIE ; AND A CAVLMING COMFORT AGAINST HIS CAVEAT .

In which is demonstrated , by assurances , euen of Protestants , that al Antiquitie , for al pointes of Religion in controuersie , is repugnant to Protestancie .

Secondly , that Protestancie is repugnant particularlie to al articles of Beleefe .

Thirdly , that Puritan plots are pernitious to Religion , and State .

And lastly , a replye to M. RIDERS Rescript ; with a Discouerie of Puritan partialitie in his behalfe .

BY HENRY FITZIMON Of Dublin in Irland , of the Societie of IESVS , Priest .

Printed at ROAN , with licence of Superiours . Anno. 1608.

THIS my defence , against M. Ihon Rider ( tearmed Deane of S. Patricks ) contayning A Catholick Confutation of his Cauteriated clayme of antiquitie on his syde , and a Calming comfort agaynst his pretended Frendly caueat to Irland Catholicks ; after longing to exhibit vnto you , after loathing to be imployed about it , and after lingring to partake you therwith , Dearly beloued Contrymen , I now present , to your confirmation , and consolation . My longing was nether for any mercenarie respects , nor popular applauds , but only for your aforsaid confirmation , and consolation . My loathing was , to incowntre a spirit of contradiction , esteeming the price of his paynes a countenancing of a falshood , it imported not how impudently , yf confidently , and contentiously . My lingring was , by being vacant to recollections vsual among them of my profession ; and by a doubtful deliberation of my Superiors , whether any further awnswer was due to such an aduersarie , who nether durst permitt that I should imprint this my defence , and whom the right honorable his Maiesties Cownsell pronounced , by publick act , to haue bene an vnfitt aduocat , or proctor , to iustifie their profession , and vnable to ratifie his owne printed allegations .

2. But , wheras I am to incountre him in the whole purport of my booke , and also to tender resolutions equally belonging to all Catholicks in general ; I thought good in this dedication to you , Contrymen Catholicks , without digression to digresse , in acquainting you of what predecessors you are discended , Catholiks , or Protestants , holy or impiouse , famouse or obscure : that you be not longer strangers at home , and ignorant of our different protestations ; he saying , that your first Christianitie was Protestant , and I auerring that it was only Catholicke , as now this woord and tearme is vsually taken .

3. Two things I would fayne in the begyning obtayne . First , that none censure my relation in this preface to be of tediouse prolixitie , vntill he pondre how many discussions of doubts it contayneth . Secondly , that during my vnfowlding , admirable , incredible , and hidden secreacies of our Contryes former preheminence in Religion , and learning , no Readers would for preiudicated opinions or erroneouse prescriptions in their myndes , more distrust these records , then they can lawfully disdayne authorities by which they wil be maintayned . Wherfore omitting all remote examinations belonging to our Contryes first inhabitants , and other trifels wonted in like treatises to be curiously inquyred ; The first part of Irlands ould Christianitie . I will only , and abruptly , search , the first Christianitie , and degree of learning , and pietie , of our Christian ancestours .

4. Concerning therfore the first planting of Religion among vs , diuers are the opinions of Authors . Some affirme , that a. a. Legenda noua Anglicana in vita S. Patricij . S. Iames Apostle among other Contryes of the west , visited Irland , and conuerted many . Others impute the first planting of Religion in the Britanian Isles ( among whiche Irland is accompted second , or as Ifaicus in Lycophronem , tearmeth it , the Occidental Britanie ) to b. b. Nicephorus de S. Petro. S. Peter . Others to c. c. Catal. Script . Brit. teste wione lib 5. c 101. S. Andrew . Others to d. d. Ferculphus Lexo niensis & Dorotheus Tyr. Episcopus ●n sua Synop●s Apostolorum . S. Philipp , by his directing vnto them Ioseph Arimath , and 12. Compagnions . Others to Symon Zelotes . Many affirme that Irland , and Britanie receaued the fayth of the gospell at e. e. Bosius d● signis Ecclesia lib. 8. c 1. one and the same tyme ; and consequently at least in the 203. yeare after our Lord and Sauiour Christs incarnation . To which accordeth this chronical verse , belonging only to Irland , as shall God willing palpablye appeare .

g. g. Mermannius in theatro conuersionis Gentium & Demochares l. de Sacrificio . Of all these opinions , other probabilitie , or monuments , I could neuer fynde , then that soone after the first Christianitie among the Gentils , diuers of our Contry receaued the benifit therof , and preached it to others as S. Mansuetus disciple of S. Peter , ●●mpagnion of S. Clement , Apostle of Tull in Loraine , by testimo●●e of Mermannius , and Demochares : h. h. S. Greg. l. 3. dial . S. Fridian , Apostle of Luca , in ●●al●e ; of whom S. Gregorie maketh mention : i. i. vita Sedulij in mitio suorum operum , & in Trithemio . Hildulphus teacher 〈◊〉 Celius Sedulius : Sedulius him selfe : k. k. historiae eorum manuscript● . S. Prosper in annal. an. 434. vide Rich. vitum lib. 1. annot. 6. Vide Baron . tom. 3. fol. 323. S. Declanus : S. Colman , and 〈◊〉 Albius , and others before S. Patricks tyme by S. Palladius found ●hristians at his arrual in Irland .

5. But wheras there is attributed to Irland for being called in ●●tin Ibernia , the Conuersion of Iberia in Asia , recorded by Nice●horus to haue hapened vnder Constantin the great ; it is strange ●hat it was so litle examined by Sabellicus , Wasnerus , Mercator , Hector ●oethius , Bosius , and manifould others , as that so many differences ●f all circumstances mentioned by the rehearcer therof , were ●otable to perswade them otherwyse but that it belonged to ●rland . Then which supposition , scarcely could any thing be ●ore absurd , and therfor is not longer to be trauersed .

6. Not withstanding these former pettie , and priuat conuer●●ons , in Irland , rather then of Irland ; in duetie , and deuotion , let ●ll Irlands race with perpetual and humble thankfulnes , S. Antoninus ton . 2. c. 18. S. Vincentius in Speculo . Iacelinus in eius vita . Marianus Scotus an . 452. 453. attribut ●heir vniuersal conuersion , to the thrise gloriouse , and wonder●ull S. Patricke . Wonderfull , yf the raysing of 60. deade , the conse●●ration of 365. Bishops , and Churches , and 3000. Preists , the ●aptising of 12000. Christians , be wonderfull . Wonderfull , yf ●he entier , and total conuersion of a stiff-necked people , not only ●●r the present tyme , but also by his prayer for the future ; not ●nly against Infidels , Danes , Normans , Aimoinus l. 4. c. 100. Eginardus de gestis Caroli Magni . Vide Bosium de signis Ecclesiae lib. 8. c. 1. Ostmans ( yf they were ●●uers ) but also against hereticks , Arians , Pelagians , Puritans , be 〈◊〉 wonder of Irland incomparable aboue all other nations ; whom ●oth infidelitie , and heresie , ether altogether , or for the most ●art , some tyme or other infected , after their first Christianitie . Wonderfull , yf all signes , and wonders , or markes of a lawfull vo●●tion , as the gift of prophecie , of tongues , of remedying al maner ●f diseases , of displacing mountayns , of power ouer all elements , of ●●pernatural fastings , of angelical conuersation , of holynes at ●ome , of peerles reputation abroad , be wonderfull . O what à ●epth am I vnwittingly transported into , when I relate , or rather 〈◊〉 collect part of his wonders to beleeuers , neglecting the contra●etie of winds expecting me among misbeleeuers , from aduan●ng into the hauens of their conceits ? But as much as I haue ●●uentured hetherto , was out of Strangfoord hauen ; where the ●●rrent is so strong , that maugre any racke , and gale , to the contrary , yet could not be hindred to fall out so farr with so noble a tyde , into an Ocean ( yf I would sayle therin ) of endles scope . Yet I will returne into the baye of my matter , and ryde at ancre vpon the point of Irlands primatiue Christianitie , and pietie , to demonstrat of what sorte , and conformitie , to their , or our profession , they weare .

Volateran . in Anthropologia . 7. And first , such as are already specifyed , S. Patrick , for being a Regular canon or religious man , abstayning from fleash during his whole lyfe , deuout toward the Crosse , a perswader of perpetual chastitie to virgins , an erecter of Abbayes ; and Sedulius for commending adoration of Crucifixes ( as by Gods assistance I intend to shew in the 152. Celius Sedulius Scotus Ibernensis venerabilis a Gelasio papa dictus vt habet Gratianus dist , 15. number ) and so of the residue , it is most euident , they could nether fauour nor further Puritanisme , as being diametricaly opposit and repugnant to such their godly proceedings , and conuersations . Nether did their successors degenerat from their example as confesseth euen Camden him selfe , a sectarist of these tymes ( the learnedest of that kinde among the whole crue ) saying . Camdenus fol. 683. 684. 685. de chronographica descriptione Britania . Edit. Franceford . anno 1590. The disciples of Patrick so surpassed in Christian pietie , that in the age following , there was nothing more holy , nothing more learned then those Monks . In confessing them to haue bene Monks , ( vnaduised Camden ) and yet so holy , so learned ; how lowdly dost thou condemne thy brethren , and M. Rider in particular , first in maligning the holynes of Monks , and next in clayming a conformitie betwixt the first Christianitie planted among vs , and their Puritan profession , so distant from it of Monks ? But not to halt at euery occasion ; such indeede was their abundant holines , and singular renowme of godly doctrin , that Marianus of the next age to S. Patrick , Marianus lib. 2. pag. 375. Auienus libello Orae maritimae . Beda lib. 3. hist. c. 7. wryteth , Irland to haue bene full of Saincts . Auienus affirmeth , that it was tearmed the sacred Ilande . Beda informeth , that out of France they repayred therto , legendarum gratia scripturarum ; For more profound knowledge of scriptures . Wherunto also , S. Brandons lyfe accordeth .

8. But because I am now entring to an information that many can not choose but repyne therat , as by change of tyme not only incredible , but also disdaynefull , that men in the downefall and depth of ignorance , inciuilitie , and abiection , should now appeare to haue bene formerly most learned , most vertuouse , and most respected ; I craue of you , Contrymen , to afford such vntrue surmisers , this true defense , that all monuments being silent in our Contryes cause , and the present countenance of our Contry ●ost remote from former florishing estate ; they had no reason to ●ppose better therof , then according their wonted maner . Ne●er had other knowledge bene as yet attayned , yf Gods great ●rouidence had not permitted the liues of Saincts by late here●●cks to be derided and distrusted , and inspyred Catholick wry●rs to iustifie , and publish them ; in which among other innume●able benifits , true knowledge of antiquities are most assuredly ●●wght , and discouered . Out of these fountaynes Camden , Bale , and ●ther lyke tooke their drawghts , and together dronke vpp the forsayd notice , of Irlands owld dignitie . Surius . Molanus . Serrarius . Bosius . Wion . Others fynding purer ●prings , and sucking thereat throwgh purer pypes the same ●nowledge , haue also more purely powred owt running streams ●o our Contryes commendation . Out of which , I am now , to the ●orie of God , and your consolation , to fill all emptie caskes , duely ●isposed to be replenished ; yet nothing without direct deriuation from the purest well springs of vnsuspitious Authors .

9. And first , who may be more vnsuspitious towards vs , then ●e forsayd Camden , whether we regarde his Contry , or conscien●e ? He then affirmeth Irlands fame to haue bene so great , as they ●nly weare accompted among the English nation of laudable ●ducation , who had bene trayned ( O diuersitie of tyme ) therin . Camden . pag. 117. ●or proofe wherof he alleadgeth this prouerbial awnswer , when ●uestion was made wher any of qualitie was instructed ; Amanda●us est ad disciplinam in Iberniam ; He is sent into Irland to his studyes . For ●onfirmation wherof , he addeth a verse frequented in common ●peeche .

Many other arguments he alleadgeth to verifie the same ; Ibid. 684. 117. 122. 630 which for breuitie , and auoyding suspected ambition , I ouerslipp .

10. But although his authoritie may seeme forcible in this ●ause , as being from one of his disposition ; yet I iudge it my part ●ot to suffre it to depend vpon his only credit , but to auerr it by ●enerable Beda , and hee an English man , who florished nyne ●undred yeares agoe in incomparable reputation of religious ●ynceritie . Thus then he recordeth . Beda in hist. Eccl. l. 3. c. 27. This affliction wrought also great ●estruction in Irland . Wherin at that tyme weare many of the Nobles and ●ommons of the English nation : who in the tyme of Finan and Colman forsaking their owne Iland repayred thether , partly for diuine Doctrine , partly for 〈◊〉 continent lyfe . And truely some did streight conforme them selues to the conuersation of Moncks . Others circuiting the cells of teachers , ioyfully applyed their studie , whom the inhabitants most willingly intertayning cherfully bestowed vpon them their dayly diet , bookes to studie , and their teaching freelye . Agayne he recompting how in Magio , ( which I thinke to be Mayo in Conacht ) a Seminarie was builded by S. Colman , and the Earle of Mayo , Ibidem . l 4. c 3. & 4. & l. 3. c. 26. for the English ; thus he concludeth : to witt which monasterie is to this daye possessed by English-men . And it is now become great of a litle one , and is commonly called Iniugeo . So euery one long since being conuerted to better instructions , it contayneth a rare compagnie of Moncks , who being collected from the prouince of English , in great continencie , and synceritye , liue by the laboure of their hands according the example of their venerable forfathers vnder rule , and a Canonical Abbot .

Camden pag. 678. 11 Breeflly , to contayne many proofs in one , Camden confesseth , that in Iberniam tanquam ad bonarum artium mercaturam vndique confluxerunt ; They flocked from all places into Irland , as vnto a market of all sciences . What say you now , Deerly beloued Contrymen : can you beleeue your eyes in behoulding this quondam florishing dignitie of your now debased contrye ? what thinke you : was it for Puritanisme , or rather for regular discipline , more continent life , obedience vnder a religious Monck , or Abbot , that such flocking was into Irlande ? Of your greatest emulators , who lifteth to regard these authorities , yf they will admyre as amazed at them , yet the most impudent , will not hereafter dare to denye them .

Camden pag. 685. Eginard Aimom . S. Bernard . loc. infrà citandis . 12. But how was this florishing deuotion , and doctrin vtterly extinguished ? Camden awnswereth by many forrein inuasions . Beda , Eginardus , Aimoinus , and S. Bernard , do confirme the same . Of whom Beda greatly reproueth Ecgfrid , King of Northumberland , Beda . l. 4 c. 26. because , vastauit misere gentem innoxiam , & nationi Anglorum semper amicissimam , ita vt neque Ecclesijs quidem aut monasterijs manus parceret hostilis , He miserably wasted the harmeles Irish people , and to the English nation most frendly , so that he did not spare ether Churches , or Abbayes . S. Bernard specifyeth so cruel to haue bene the persecutions of pirats , that in one day , in one only abbaye of Benchor , they killed nyne hondred Moncks .

13 Besyd which ruine of our ancient glorie , I fynde another great desolation in Irland to haue suddenly hapned , by a general feruour of our godly doctors , conueying them to infidel ●ontryes to imparte vnto them the cleere brightnes of the gos●●ll . I say , I fynde such voluntarie peregrination to haue disabled ●●d impouerished Irland by their absence , as much as they bew●fyed and benifyted other Contryes by their presence . Of which ●niuersal transmigration , thus wryteth Henricus Antisiodorensis . Henricus Antisiodorē . in epist. ad Carol. Caluum . Quid ●erniam commemorem contempto pellagi discrimine pene totam cum grege ●ilosophorum ad littora nostra migrantem : quorum quisquis peritior est , vltro ●●i indicit exilium ? Why should I remembre Irland , almost altogether 〈◊〉 trowps of philosophers , ( the danger of sea vnregared ) to these our Coasts ●oting : of whom as euery one is most learned , so he entreth into banish●ent more promptly ? When therfor the chefe of our learned saincts ●bandoned their natiue soyle , to displaye and plant Religion ●broad : is it any merueil that the Contry at home was disfur●ished , and all the glorious ornaments therof deminished , and ●ithered ?

14. As their zelous Apostolical spirit conducted them to all ●laces wher they might edifie to saluation , ( of which places ●ome few , for certaintie sake , are to be mentioned ) so in England , so great weare their vertuous trauayles , Camden pag. 117. & 157. that as Camden ●cknowledgeth , in many places , to them yf not only , yet ●heefly , their deuotions weare addicted , their towns and ●hurches dedicated , their patronage by all implored . To which ●amdens relation do approach and belong thes words of Beda . Beda l. 3. c. 3. ●y them the yong and ould of the English , weare instructed in studyes , ●nd obseruation of regular discipline . Agayne : they being teachers , Ibid. l. 4. c. 26. the ●hole care was to serue God and not the worlde , to fill the soule , and ●ot to pampre the bodye . So that the habit of Religion was then ●n great veneration ; in so much as wher soeuer any Clercke , or Monck , ●ould come , he would cheerfully be receaued by all , as the seruant of God . ●lso yf he weare found in his iournie , they would ronn to him , and bowing ●heir heads couet to be crossed with his hands , or blessed with his ●●outhe . Was this puritanisme ? was this ould Catholick Religion different from this late Catholick Religion ? who , will ●ere after thynke so , whose senses and witt are at libertie , and whom puritan protestations haue not benummed of all vnderstanding ? But I list not to lingre , or trifle in a case so perspi●uous .

15. As in situation France is next England ; so also was it , to the godly visitation , of our Euangelical pilgrims . I will conioyne their fructifying therin , and in the low Contryes ( the bordres therof ) in one declaration . Of the , ( Mellifluous S. Bernard ) I expect the filling of my sayles with a prosperous bonace , and forwynde ; that I may safely ariue at the port of perswasion ; trueth , and irrefragable authoritie , being my lead starr , and inoffensiue manifestation of Irlands owld estate my pilot , and thou Benchor Abbay the blessed rode , from which I will begynn my nauigation .

S. Bernardus in v. S. Malachie . 16. Of this Abbay , sayth S. Bernard : it was à most noble Monasterie befor vnder Congellus first parent therof , yeelding many thousand Moncks , and being head of many Abbayes . A place in trueth holy , fertil of saincts most abundantly fruictfull to God . So that one of that holy congregation named Luanus is reported to haue alone fownded ( in France : as Florarium , a written martyrologe in our librarie of Louain , contayneth ) a hondred Abbayes . Which I therfor relate , that by this one the Reader may coniecture how surpassing had bene the residue .

17. To be breefe the budds or branches therof so replenished Irland , and Scotland , that the verses of Dauid seeme spoken of those tymes . Thow hast visited the earth , and made it dronken thow hast multiplyed to enriche it . The flood of God is filled with waters , thou hast prepared the foode of them : for so is the preparation therof . Making dronke the bankes of it , thou hast multiplyed therof , in the stilling dropps wherof the fructifying will reioyce ; I and in lyke maner , they which follow . Add not only into the forsayd , but also into other strange Contryes thos heaps of saincts powred out them selues as a ouerflowing streame . Of whom S. Columban aryued into thes our parts of France , erected the Abbay of Lexouium , and increased ther into a great multitude . They report , to haue bene so many , as one quyer succeding another , the solemne diuine seruice perpetualy continued , so that no moment of day or night was vacant from Gods prayses . Let this suffice of the ould glorie of the Abbaye of Benchor . This being in tyme past destroyed by Pirats , Malachias for the remembrance of the ancient dignitie therof , tooke it in hande , as yf he weare to replant paradise , because many bodyes of Saincts lay ther in rest . For , that I may say nothing of them that deceased in peace , they record that 900. weare by pirats murthered in one day . Hetherto hath S. Bernard safely transported me , so neere the wished harborow of full perswasion , and reasonable consent pliable to reasons , ( for who so presumptuously obstinat , as to distrust S. Bernard . ) that now I may lawfully seeme protected from wynds , and weather , without proceeding to further wharfe , or keye ; all that I intended to proue of Irlands ancient glorie , being compendiously comprised , in the former discourse .

Sigibertus anno 651. 18. Althowgh in common appeareth , that France was auayled , and aduanced greatly , by recourse of our learned Saincts ●●erto ,

Vide do his sanctis , Surium , Molanum , Trithemium , Iocelmum , & librum M. S. apud Woluerstonum iuxta Dubliniam &c.

De S. Madelgario , Fra. de Rosiers to . 4. stematum lotharingie hist. capitali 73. fol. 255. habet , fuisse illum regem Ibernie . Vide Guicciardinum in descrip. Mentium Hanoniae . certe non fuit pro rex regis Francie , cui nihil vnquam fuit in Ibernia .

19. This multitude , this abundance caused Marianus to say : Marian. l. 2. pag. 379. ●ernia insula Sanctis & mirabilibus viris perplurimis plena habetur , The iland 〈◊〉 Irland is replenished with Saincts and manifowld admirable persons . Surius & Molanus 2. Maij. It ma●e Surius , and Molanus , to say : Scotia , quae & Ibernia dicitur , fertilis ●nctorum insula & stellarum numerum prope equans protrocinijs sanctorum . ●cotland which is called Irland , is a plenifull iland of Saincts , Theodoricus in v. S. Rumuldi apud Sur. 1. Iulij . and coequal to the ●●mber of starrs , in the patronages of Saincts . It made Theodoricus to say : ●sula sicut omni terrarum gleba foecundior , ita sanctorum gloriosa simplicita●● beatior , An Ilande , as more fertil then any clodd of lands , so more blessed in ●●e holy simplicitie of saincts . Vide Camden fol. 678. S. Bern. in v. S. Malachie . vitam S. Columbani , S. Galli . S. Kiliani . Brefly it made euery wryter to amplifie ●rlands commendations , euery Contry to whom they repayred to ●●und for them ( as in Fulda , Herbi poli , Fossis , S Gallo , &c. ) habitations , ●nd euery nation whom they visited , to haue their festiuities in ●reatest veneration .

20. Neither is it the least part of their glorie , that many of ●hem weare of Roial or princely race , as a. a. Wion . 20. Octob. Vendelin , b. b. Florarium . 13. Ian. Kentigerne , Kilian , d. d. Idem 8. Maij. Fiacre , Sira his sister , e. e. Buchingerus ad ann. 888. Abbas pruniensis , Cuspinian , P. Phrig . Platus . Richardis emperesse and wyfe , c. c. Wion . 8. Iulij . ( yet perpetual virgin ) to Carolus Crassus , f. f. Andreas Herbi Canonicus Attreb . in lib. de vita eorum . Luglius and Luglian brethren and Lilia their sister , g. g. Molan in na talibus , in Indiculo , & in recapitulatione . Guthagon , h. h. Molan in na talibus , in Indiculo , & in recapitulatione . Dimna , i. i. Molan in na talibus , in Indiculo , & in recapitulatione . Vincent , k. k. Surius 14 Nouem. Laurence , l. l. Ioa. Maior de gestis Scotorum lib. 2. p. 34. Cuthbert , m. m. Merman , in theatro conuersionis Gentium pag. 104. Fridolin , n. n. Volateran . l. 20. Antrop . Fridian , o. o. M. S. liber Woluerstoni . Brandub , p. p. Ibidem . Cormacus , q. q. Trithemical . 3. c. 31. Brandan , r. r. Probus l. 2. vitae S. Patricij , tres illas fuisse regias virgines commemorat . Sabel . enead . 8. l 9. Naucler . in gest . Caroli Mag. Ioan. Valensis parte 10. compendiloquij . c. 6. Gaguin . l. 4. de orig. Francorum . Polidorus l. 5. historie . Aethyna , Vluena , Fethle &c. Shewing therby the degenerat , & bastard mynds , of such as thinke any other nobilitie comparable to serue god in ecclesiastical state ; and neuer thinke their sonns fitt to be of the clergie , vnles they be maymed , deformed , sottish : dealing with God as Cayne , in offring to him the refuse oblations , and the choise to the vanitie of the world . But of this prophane inconsideration , and disdaynefull conceit of godly worthines , and what punishments therby insue ; our patriarchal Apostle S. Patrick , soone after will giue vs a spiritual lesson , and priuie reprehension , in the relation of the occasions of his owne , and his compagnies captiuitie .

21. Besyd the former two surpassing benifits in forrain Contryes , of innumerable Abbayes erected by our contrymen , and so many preachers planting and watering their dispositions to saluation , in all places whether they went , they also occasioned vniuersities to be erected ; and among the rest it of Paris it selfe , and it of Pauie . My authors are no meaner then Sabellicus , Nauclerus , Ioannes Valensis , Gaguinus , and Polidorus . The two first in sentence and circumstance concurr , saying . Two men of monastical profession from Irland lauding in France with Merchands of Britanie ; when others propownded other Merchandize , they lowdly professed to be Merchands of learning , and wysdome . And being demanded , at what rate they whuld sell their wares ; they awnswered for only intertaynement of meat and appareil . At lenght Charles the great duely informed of them , placed one ( whose name was Claud Clement ) in Paris . The other ( who was called Iohn Scott ) he directed into Italy to teach wysedome in Pauie . Who doth not euidently behould the singular deserts of most affectionat reciprocation , and spiritual requitals exhibited by Irland to England , France , Italie , Germanie , Flandres , in the most beneficial maner that one nation could demerit an other ?

22. Thus farr , Contrymen Catholicks , haue I succinctly ouerronn many important relations , sufficiently manifesting the ruthfull ruine of our Contrye from so great bewtie , and florishing fame , to so great decaye , and obscuritie , by the multitude of our offences , that euen in perusing the euidence of them , yet we our selues in comparing them to the present calamitie of our sayd Contry , we staggre to condiscend , and incline to their ●●surance . The greatest exception against them can be noe other , ●●en that diuers ancient authors did reproach our Contry with ●●rbarietie , and especialy S. Hierome ; with which , so floris●ng doctrine , and deuotion might seeme not to haue con●●ted .

23. To which obiection I fynde two authentical awnswers by wryters of a thousand yeares antiquitie . The first is ●f Ionas disciple to S. Columban , saying : that nation , Ionas in v. S. Columbani apud Sur. to . 6. Nou. 21. wanting in dede ●●e lawes of other nations , was neuer the less florishing in the doctrin of Chri●ian religion , so that it excelled all neighbour nations . The second is of ●●alafrid Strabo , more pertinently , and pithily ( although ●he former doth auoyd abundantly all brunt of the obiection , ●hewing that any barbarietie ther found , yf any weare , de●inished not their religious pietie from being peculiar ) be●onging to the imputation , saying : Walafrid Straba in pref. v. S. Galli , apud Sur. 16. Octob. how horrible soeuer others haue ●ritten of the inhabitants of Irland , since the fayth of Christ came among ●●em , is to be silenced . For wher synn abounded grace hath super abounded . So ●hat by the premisses Irland without odiouse ostentation is made ●otoriously comparable for antiquitie of religion with most of ●he formest , for stedfastnes with any of the firmest , for fer●oure with the brightest Contrye now florishing in christia●itie ; in multitude of saincts peerles , by any soyle of lyke ●●pacitie ; in fructifying and florishing abrode and indebting ●ther Contryes by beneficious and officiouse functions , as forward as any .

24. Nether haue I vsurped , borrowed feathers to adorne it ●s Horace his chowgh ; but bene contented with the only propre ●nd natural plume . Therfor accepted not Willibrord by graunt ●f Bruschius , or the catalogue of the abbots of Epternay ; nor Willi●ald , Winibald , and their sister Walpurg ( although in Dublin ther is 〈◊〉 church dedicated to hir mis named S. Warborowes ) by authoritie ●f Molanus ; nor Boniface by authoritie of Trithemius , Molanus , Brussalus , ●latus ; nor Wicbert , and his compagnions , by sondry authorities . True ●n dede it is , that many , or all of these , had their nurture in Irland , ●nd as others , receaued all their indowments , or ornaments therin , wherby after they glorifyed God , and them selues : otherwyse , ●pon examination I accompt them not to haue bene of our Con●ry . Thus much therfor to the honor , & glorie of God , be knowen , ●o discerne that our first Christianitie was repugnant to Purita●isme , & conformable to Catholick Christianitie in the principal perfection therof as now it is professed .

The second part , that Irland was the ould Scotland . 25. Hauing studiously reuealed all thes former antiquities for your contentment , and confirmation , in your ancient , vniuersal , and conformable beleefe , singularly beloued Contrymen Catholicks ; shal I refrayne from informing you , wherfor many of your blessed fore mentioned saincts are called Scots , which denomination you retayne no longer ? yf I followed wholy their footsteps who ether in latin , or English , haue hitherto vnfoulded diuers parcells of your antiquities ; I should also leape ouer this block , and impediment , without remouing it out of your way to know your owne , and when others wrongfully defeat you of your right : and do no more , then informe you , that some tyme you weare called Scots , without specifiyng whether alone , or how long so called or wherfor no longer . But hauing by long inquisition found out choise guydes , and being willing to aduenture on any iournie wherby I may right you in your cheefest glorie ; that being lawfully intituled , and possessed therof , yow may remayne as in the inheritance no lesse of your predecessours goodnes , then of ther goods : will by the assistance of God proceede on this examination by the most compendiouse path that through the thicket of ould antiquities shal lye open befor me .

26. First therfor I say that Irland was the only knowen Scotland til the destruction of Picts : which hapened after the yeare of Christ 800. For assuring wherof , I will follow two kynds of proofs . The first by allegations testifying in such maner Irland to haue bene the only knowen Scotland till that tyme , as in all monuments of wryters befor this last 600. yeares , it is called Scotland without either limitation , or insinuation of any other els wher knowen ; and also with some addition incompatible to any other Scotland afterwards so called : ether by being named together an Ilande , or by being specifyed not to be any parte of Britanie , but only neighbouring thereto : or lastly , by being expresly and indifferently applyed to Irland , as much as the very name of Irland it selfe . yea after the thousand yeare of our sauioure , it retayned the name of Scotland with a prerogatiue of being the greater Scotland and mother of the lesse . The second kynde of proofs shal be of such as condemne and Confute the affirmers of any other Scotland els wher befor that tyme knowen .

27. Among all that euer penned any remembrance of Britanical maters , ( as Cesar , Propertius , Dio , Diodorus Siculus , Pomponius , Ptolome●● , Solinus , Tacitus , Eutropius , Spartianus , Capitolinus , Lampridius Vopisc●● , ●●relius Victor , Herodianus , Procopius , and all others ) not one of them ●●ifyed any Scots in their tymes to haue dwelled in any parte of ●●itanie , hauing occasion , and intention , to treat of the inhabi●●nts therof . Yea six hondred yeares after Christs incarnation , Hucbaldus in v. S. Lebuini apud Sur. 12. Nouemb. in ●●e historie of S. Bertuinus , and in the prayer also or collect of S. ●●nianus , when all the inhabitants of Britanie weare distinctly re●●arsed , and peculiarly prayed for , Del Rio in Octauian Senecae . Sedulius aequalis Prudentio . Trithemius . in them also weare Britanian ●●ots wholy omitted . Contrary wyse , Amianus who first , S. Hierome ●ho second , Sedulius and Prudentius coequals who thirdly , Claudia●● and all othere after conformably , who mentioned the denomi●●tion of Scotland , and Scots ; they euer attributed it , as I sayd , syno●maly , or indifferently , to Irland , and Irish men , as much as the ve●● name of Irland , and Irish men . Which in any wysdome , all wry●rs as well ould as late , holy as prophan , forreiners as domesti●●l , would neuee haue done , S. Hieronimus in proem . 3. in Hieremiam . Erasmus ibid. Sedulius in onnes epist. S. Pauli . Claudianus in 4. consulatu Honorij & alibi S. Orosius lib. 1. pag. 20. S Isidorus lib 12 cap. 6 Hegesippus . l. 5. c. 15. Hucbald . loc. cit. yf ther had bene any wher els Scotland , 〈◊〉 Scots knowen .

28. Of the forsayd authors S. Hierome speaking of the Scotish ●●tion , sayth , it was only in Britanorum vicinia , neighbouring vpon Bri●●nie . Sedulius tearming him selfe a Scot , put to it , Ibernensis , of Irland . ●●audianus maketh Irland bewayle the disconfiture of Scots as the habitants therof : Scotorum tumulos fleuit glacialis Iberna , The death of ●●ts , could Irland did lament . Agayne : totam cum Scotus mouit Ibernam . ●hen the Scot excited all Irland to warr . S. Orosius sayth ; Irland is inhabited Scots . S. Isidore : Scotland is the same that Irland is ; Scotland is the Iland next ●●tanie . Hegesippus : Scotland is an iland remote from all other lande . Hucbald : Britanie Irland , otherwyse called Scotland adioyneth . Beda , Beda in hist. eccl. l 1 c. 1 Idem , in appendice hist. Idem 13. Nouemb. & lib. 4. hist. c. 19. Aimoinus lib. 4 c. 100. Eginard . de Carolo Mag. Surius & Molanus 8. Maij. 1. Iulij . S. Bernard . in v. S. Malach. Cesarius lib. 12. c. 38. whose ver●●ct in a Britanian mater is irrefragable , wryting in the yeare of ●●r lord 731. sayth : Irland is the propre contry of Scots ; Scots inhabit Irland , 〈◊〉 Iland neere Britanie ; from Scotland he came into Britanie ; Comming from ●land the Contry of Scots ; &c. Aimoinus , and Eginardus : Irland the Iland of ●ots . Marianus : S. Kilian , a Scot , borne in Irland . Surius , and Molanus : Scot●●nd , which is called Irland , fertil Ilande of saincts . S. Bernard of the inha●●tante of Armach : we are Scots , and not French men . Cesarius : let them goe 〈◊〉 Scotland , and enter S. Patricks purgatorie . I would inquyre , without ●●ssion , of then that made ample volumes of Kings anh Contryes , ●arrs and triumphes , marriages and genealogies , peace and ●●wes , liues and deathes of other Scotlands , and Scots : did they ●●inke in their consciences , yf any such had bene , had not so lear●●d , so diligent , so familiar historians in Britanian maters , found them out ? Yf they had found them out , had they omitted them ? 〈◊〉 they had omitted them , had they so confused conceits as to nam● Irland indifferently for Scotland , and contrary wyse , without intimation of any other Contry so called ? This age is to sharp-sighted not to discerne the futilitie and friuolousnes of such forge● narrations as are founded vpon mis conceited dreames .

Gildas , Beda , Polidorus , Hluidus , Camden &c. 29. But obserue , for full instruction in this controuersie , tha● in all places of Britanie ther weare first only Britons , or walshmen , inhabitants ; of whom fewer , and meaner dwelled in the northren partes , by means of greater sterilitie then in the residue Which northren parts weare often euen from Iulius Cesa●● tyme infested , Panegyricus . and molested by pyratical irruptions of Irishmen . Thes Irishmen , for causes by none so probablye as by Camde● specifyed , Camden de Chronographica descriptione Britanie , & Insularum adiacentium , à fol. 55. deinceps . Impress . Francofard . an. 1590. not long after , weare also called Scots . And not long after such name , wherof Amianus ( as is befor affirmed ) made th● first mention , ther came into Irland out of Scithia a people called Picts , and requested the Scots or Irishmen to admitt them to dwell in their dominion . Awnswer was made , that the Iland could not contayne bothe : neuer the less they would aduise then to attempt the Northren desolat parts of Britanie , and to conquer habitation to them selues . Beda in hist. l. 1. c. 1. And yf resistance would be made they would second them with strong assistance , and plant then maugre all aduersaries in thos seats . The Picts feercely inuaded those parts , and by succession of tyme purchased them .

Ibid. cap. 12. 30. The Britons oft inuoked succours from the Romains against their violence . From whom a legion was sent vnto the● twyse , by which they repelled their enemyes , and placed the wall ( the ruyns wherof to this day are named the Picts wall ) to defend them against their furie , which wal in Seuerus his tyme wa● extended from the place wher now Dumberton standeth , to the Firth that entreth into Edinburg ; and in Hadrians tyme , fro● Selwey Firth , to the place wher Barwick now standeth . For the proceedings of the Picts did ebb , and flow , according to the diuersitie of occasions ; till at lenght the Romains pestered with other warrs , Pomponius Letus de anno 22. Valentiniani . Paulus Diac. l. 24. sub finem . Beda l. 1. hist. c. 14. & lib. de natura temporum vbi de Theodosio iuniore . forlorned the Britons to their owne defense : by whe● slacknes , and discords , the Picts anno Domini 446. quietly inioye● all that was beyond the forsayd walls : which befor they had only wasted , and vexed , by yearly incursions . The Irishmen , or Sco●● with their Spoyles returned according their custome into Irland leauing the Picts the second inhabitants now of Britani● ●mong other captiues by the Scots or Irishmen transported est●ons into Irland , ( for as I sayd it was their annual employment 〈◊〉 inuade the Britons ) they purchased the most happie bootie that ●her Irland had , our blessed Apostle S. Patrick ; Genes. 41. who as Ioseph to Egipt , was to Irland , a prisoner procuring them libertie , and lyfe . ●is woords befor promised , I found in a hand written historie of is lyfe in our librarie of Douaye , while I ransaked all libraries in ●y waye for our Contryes antiquities ; wherby bothe his men●oned instruction , & his Captiuitie , and the place of habitation or ●etrayt of the Scots , are euidently notifyed , in maner following .